No. 02The chain
Between a capsule and a feeling sits a chain of three links: a compound, the target system it binds, and the downstream goal that target serves. Every pathway in this atlas is one such chain — verified, named, and indexed so we can rotate around it.
Filed under
Pharmacokinetics, receptor pharmacology
Last revised
Continuously updated · Protocol v3.1
§ 0How to read a pathway
On the left, the compound — what enters your bloodstream. In the middle, the target system — the receptor, enzyme or axis it acts on, and whether that target adapts. On the right, the wellness goal — what changes for you.
If the target adapts, the compound needs cycling. If it doesn’t, daily is fine.
§ 1The atlas
Filter by the goal you want; see which pathways serve it and which compounds route through each.
ache-inhibition
Blocks AChE enzyme to increase synaptic acetylcholine, enhancing memory consolidation and recall.
choline-substrate
Supplies choline as raw material for acetylcholine synthesis, boosting cholinergic neurotransmission.
ngf-stimulation
Stimulates nerve growth factor synthesis for long-term neuronal resilience and synaptic plasticity.
hpa-axis-modulation
Modulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to regulate cortisol output and stress response.
gaba-calm
Promotes GABA tone and alpha-wave activity for anxiolytic calm without sedation.
gaba-sedative
Directly activates GABA-A receptors for sedative sleep-onset and relaxation effects.
serotonin-precursor
Provides 5-HTP to increase serotonin synthesis, supporting mood and sleep-wake regulation.
melatonin-circadian
Activates melatonin receptors in the SCN to regulate circadian rhythm and sleep onset.
hpg-axis-hormonal
Supports testosterone via HPG axis stimulation and aromatase modulation.
cerebral-blood-flow
Enhances nitric oxide-mediated vasodilation for improved brain oxygenation and nutrient delivery.
mitochondrial-etc
Supports mitochondrial ATP production via electron transport chain optimization.
ampk-metabolic
Activates AMPK signaling cascade for metabolic optimization and sirtuin-mediated longevity.
nfkb-inflammation
Suppresses NF-κB-driven inflammatory signaling for tissue protection and recovery.
beta-glucan-immune
Trains innate immune cells via Dectin-1 and TLR receptor activation for enhanced pathogen defense.
collagen-structural
Supplies collagen peptides as substrates for fibroblast-mediated extracellular matrix synthesis.
electrolyte-hydration
Maintains osmotic balance and membrane potential gradients via mineral replenishment.
adenosine-blockade
Competitively blocks adenosine receptors to prevent drowsiness signaling and promote alertness.
dopamine-norepinephrine
Modulates monoamine oxidase and catecholamine pathways for dopamine/NE-driven motivation and focus.
antioxidant-nrf2
Activates Keap1-Nrf2-ARE pathway for phase II detoxification enzyme induction.
glutathione-precursor
Provides rate-limiting cysteine for glutathione synthesis via GCL enzyme.
omega-resolution
Supplies EPA/DHA precursors for specialized pro-resolving mediator (SPM) synthesis.
keratin-structural
Provides biotin, silica, and cofactors for keratin production in hair, skin, and nails.
nad-salvage
Replenishes cellular NAD+ pools via NMN/NR precursors for sirtuin function.
creatine-phosphagen
Saturates phosphocreatine stores via SLC6A8 transporter for rapid ATP regeneration in muscle and brain — supports both physical power output and cognitive performance under fatigue.
cofactor-enzymatic
Maintains Mg²⁺, Zn²⁺, and B-vitamin pools required for 300+ enzymatic reactions including ATP synthesis and DNA repair.
taurine-cellular
Supports cardiac contractility, neural membrane stabilization, and bile acid conjugation via TauT transporter-mediated cellular uptake.
vdr-genomic
Activates VDR nuclear receptor to regulate ~1,000 genes involved in calcium metabolism, immune function, and bone health.
§ 2System overview
Biological pathways
27
Verified routes from compound to wellness outcome.
Target systems
30
Receptors, enzymes, transporters & axes the compounds bind.
Adapting systems
20
The ones that downregulate — and drive the cycling schedule.
Wellness goals
7
Energy, Focus, Calm, Rest, Immunity, Beauty, Recovery.
§ 3Legend
The target downregulates or desensitizes with continuous use. Cycling restores responsiveness.
No meaningful adaptation. Daily dosing is safe — and typically optimal.
§ 4Methods
A target is marked adapting when peer-reviewed evidence shows receptor density, enzyme expression, or axis sensitivity changes by a clinically meaningful margin within four weeks of continuous exposure at therapeutic dose. Where evidence is mixed, we err toward cycling and disclose the confidence rating on the compound’s entry.